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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,459 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jan 052013

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Grumman LLV was hit by the driver of the Chevy Malibu. The Grumman LLV had seatbelt issues with impact. The LLV was forced over on two wheels with left side impact from the driver of Chevy Malibu. [XXX] was the driver of the USPS Grumman LLV at the time of accident sustaining neck injuries requiring medical attention. Multiple medical procedures paid out of pocket followed to include surgeries The driver of Chevy Malibu was injured and received coverage by State Farm insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Forest, VA, USA

problem #22

Jun 102022

Malibu

  • miles
1. A known about the recall for the power steering to go out. This was repaired as a recall a in 2014. It was replaced at no charge. In the last year the same thing happened again. I was charged over $1400 for repair at the dealership. Why was this not covered as well. Same part. Same problem a second time. ? 2. Also, cruise control has gone out over a year ago. No one told me there was a recall. I did not get it fixed due to cost.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #21

Apr 202019

Malibu

  • 156,000 miles
The rack and pinion went out when making left turns in city setting. Steering wheel turned but wheels did not. Felt a jumping in the wheel. Gears in rack were stripped when making a hard left turn. Steering wheel spun 3/4 and ruined air bag and no cruise control. Ive had to get a new rack and pinion.

- New Martinsville, WV, USA

problem #20

Dec 162018

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving my steering wheel would become hard to turn as if I don't have any power steering fluid while driving the car... and the odometer will stop working and then go up and down my drive control lights will stop working and below where the odometer is the numbers will turn into saying error then my car will not crank please help me with this problem

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #19

Mar 212016

Malibu

  • miles
Immediately after purchasing my 2004 Chevy Malibu (used from a dealer) I noticed the cruise control wouldn't engage most of the time. The light on the button turns on (yellow), but the cruise control doesn't set or engage. Now it rarely works.

- Milbank, SD, USA

problem #18

Aug 232017

Malibu

  • 113,000 miles
I bought the car last April 2016. Shortly after my cruise control was hard to turn on, had to keep hitting the button. So the dealership said it was the switch and replaced it free of charge. Now it's Aug 2017 and the cruise control sometimes turns on and when it does it only stays on maybe 10 min or less and then kills on its own! the speed drops quickly and this is unexpected and can be dangerous. This happened while I was driving on the highway. I specifically bought a car with cruise control, I love it, need it and use it regulary.

- Waterloo, WI, USA

problem #17

Aug 072017

Malibu

  • 178,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering repeatedly goes out while driving. Blinkers only work sometimes. Cruise control does not engage. I lost power steering going down a busy highway.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #16

Nov 232016

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
"takata recall" my 2004 Malibu does not have working cruise control, my wiring is barely working as in my locks won't work, my heat we only blows cold air on defrost my defrost barely clears my windows, my T\C light is the only light that stays on all the time and I barely have traction while driving if I'm trying to accelerate getting on the highway my wheel will lock or barely move and I have to let completely off the gas to free the wheel I get any alerts on my speedometer.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #15

May 312012

Malibu

  • 72,000 miles
Upon driving the vehicle it made 3 ringing noises and then on the dashboard it said eng pwr reduced. The car then went from 60 to about 30 mph instantly, I pushed my foot entirely to the floor an the car still wouldn't speed up. It has happened numerous times at least 40 in the past few years. No dealer can pin point what it is that's wrong. Shut the car off and start it up and its fine again. Other than the check engine light still on.

- Mountville, PA, USA

problem #14

Jun 022014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Customer states that he has received three recall notices for vehicle in June 2014 and July 2014. All three noticed indicated the parts are not available and hasn't heard any response since.

- Middleton, WI, USA

problem #13

May 012014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Chevrolet Malibu experiencing power steering problems, ABS and shift cable, all replaced. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to the repair shop seven times, due to power steering failure, which resulted in the steering locking up. The consumer was involved in two accidents, in which the air bags failed to deploy. The consumer received a transmission, steering and brake recall. However, the parts were not available.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #12

Oct 012014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to GM recall #13036* ld the consumer stated the recall fix, did not fix the problem. The consumer stated he did not know, if the brake lights worked and the cruise control rarely worked. The traction control and ABS light was on. The consumer returned to the dealer. An inspection revealed a problem was speed sensor on the right front wheel, which was not related to the recall. The cost to replace the sensor was $460.

- Pierre, SD, USA

problem #11

May 142014

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Mineola, TX, USA

problem #10

Jul 012014

Malibu

  • 91,000 miles
First of all im waiting on parts for two recalls for my 2004 Chevy Malibu. I find it a little dangerous and for some reason nobody has been able to give me any information on what I need to do or have no idea when the parts are going to be available. My seat on the driver side feels like it is detached on one side. I have read several complaints about this happening to other people. My car randomly decides to accelerate sometimes. I cannot give you mileage or tell you exact times when it happens because it's about five times a year. I think it's when I'm on cruise control so I find it bizarre that all of a sudden my car starts speeding. I have had my car serviced and even a new engine put in and reset but my service airbag light is still on? my horn will work randomly but not all the time and this makes me feel a little unsafe because a horn is needed for warning people of danger. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Great Falls, MT, USA

problem #9

Jun 152009

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the fuel relay switch overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also indicated that the brake lights failed and were replaced multiple times. In addition, the headlights would not illuminate bright enough to see in front of the vehicle while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. While activating the cruise control at any speed, the vehicle would suddenly accelerate on its own. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #8

May 222014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
This is the 5th time this had happened with my 2004 Malibu, but the scariest. Similar to the other times, but this time on a curve. I heard a chime& "power steering" appeared in the message box. My car veered to the ieft into traffic and I could barely steer it. It took all my 66 yea old strength to turn the wheel & get into my lane. I pulled off asap & turned car off in a safe location. Shaking for 15 min. I don't understand why this car is safe to drive. It does not revert to manual steering. The CEO is lying. I have owned manual steering cars and this does not steer that way. I am afraid to drive it it has also stalled with numerous lights coming on. ABS, engine, and one I think is another steering light, yellow with a line through it. Why aren't they pulled?cruise control comes on by itself & won't shut off.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

problem #7

Feb 282014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Daughter was turning the corner and the steering wheel stop turning and she ran into a snow bank. Car is inoperable now. The car had been difficult to turn since I purchased it. I took it to a mechanic who couldn't find anything wrong with it. I also took it back to the dealership where I purchase and they would not honor the warranty, and this was only a couple of weeks after I purchased it.

- Eastpointe, MI, USA

problem #6

Apr 012008

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
The cruise control does not work. The light will come on to start it but when you try to set it, it will not set.

- Henagar, AL, USA

problem #5

Jun 262012

Malibu

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact had to immediately apply the brakes to stop the vehicle. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 122,000.

- Pella , IA, USA

problem #4

Feb 232007

Malibu

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While traveling 70 mph the contact noticed that all of the warning lights had appeared on dashboard and that the vehicle began to decrease in speed. The contact shut off the vehicle, restarted it and noticed that the failure had corrected itself. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the failure could not be reproduced. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 28000 and the current mileage was 43000.

- Salem, OR, USA

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